ASPCA Animal Hospital Blog Posts

Janet, Chrissy and Jack were rescued by the NYPD in early May. The three Shih Tzus were malnourished and their coats were so matted that their vision was impaired. They were rushed to the ASPCA Animal Hospital where our expert staff provided medical care, grooming and a gradual feeding schedule to help the dogs gain weight safely. While this trio is making good progress, it is still too early to discuss their availability for adoption.

“We often care for victims of extreme matting—the impacts of which go far beyond the cosmetic,” says Howard Lawrence, Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group. “Severe matting can lead to skin infections, decreased mobility and even cut off circulation to the point of limb amputation. We’re thankful that in the course of a narcotics arrest the NYPD investigators were able to recognize animals in need and bring them to the ASPCA for care.”

We are optimistic that Janet, Chrissy and Jack will continue to improve under our care.

“This case exemplifies why the partnership is so important for this city’s most vulnerable animals, and we thank the Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office for seeking justice in this case,” says Lawrence.

Frankie, a tiny Yorkshire terrier, was 18 months old when he was dropped down a garbage chute in a Bronx, New York, apartment building last September. He sustained skull fractures and neurological trauma from the fall, which left him nearly completely blind in both eyes. He weighed just four pounds when New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers rescued him and brought him to the ASPCA Animal Hospital.

Over the next three months, ASPCA veterinarians carefully monitored Frankie as his wounds healed. He quickly became a staff favorite, and ASPCA Director of Veterinary Technicians Jennifer Coyle even provided hands-on foster care for Frankie in her office.

In December, a Manhattan native named Rose M. met Frankie while visiting the ASPCA during a break from her studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts. She fell in love and returned one month later to make the adoption official.

Rose patiently helped Frankie adjust to his new surroundings, which was a difficult process for the tiny pooch—compounded by his partial blindness.

“He is now well-adjusted, like any other fun-loving, cuddly Yorkie,” Rose says. “He loves his new home where he is meeting lots of new people and experiencing new things.”

This cuddly pup’s favorite activities include going on walks, chewing on household objects and playing "find it" with his favorite treats.

In photos on his very own Instagram account, Frankie also reveals his mischievous side—“eating” Rose’s homework, consuming her reading materials and sitting at her computer while she works. He also models his new collection of stylish sweaters.

After a rough start, we’re so glad Frankie’s story has a happy ending and that he is receiving the care and love he so desperately needed. Want to help ensure happy endings for other animal cruelty victims like Frankie? Consider making a donation to the ASPCA today.

Many of you may recall the story of Charlotte, a tiny Maltese/Shih Tzu who garnered national attention last fall when she was severely injured and left for dead in Staten Island, New York. The alleged abuser’s court case is still pending, but fortunately, Charlotte’s future is not. Here is a happy update on her story.

Charlotte was discovered in a trash bag near the Staten Island train tracks in September, 2014. According to allegations in court documents, her previous owner told police that she couldn’t afford to care for Charlotte, so she put her in the bag and threw her out of her car window. Charlotte was severely injured during the ordeal, and when she arrived at the ASPCA Animal Hospital she was in critical condition. At the time, she was less than four months old.

During her six-week stay at the hospital, Charlotte received treatment for a fractured skull, a fractured femur and brain trauma resulting from the blunt-force impact. Though public outrage surrounding the case was high, our primary goal was to help Charlotte heal and—most importantly—to place her into a safe home where she could receive the attention, love and care that she so dearly deserved. Fortunately, on November 1, we found that home in the form of an adopter named Dava.

After the adoption, Dava’s first priority was to help Charlotte forget her painful past. In addition to the new home, she decided to give the tiny snow-white dog a new name: Pip. “She’s quite happy,” Dava said in an update a few months later. “She is doing great and is completely a part of the family.” Although Pip does have some lingering issues from her brain injury, Dava is more than happy to help manage them and the petite pup is currently undergoing further testing. “She has gotten a lot bigger and is full of energy and personality,” Dava adds proudly. “We adore her, and we’re so glad that we adopted her.”

Although the case against Pip’s alleged abuser is still pending—in October, she pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, misdemeanor counts of torturing and injuring animals, and animal abandonment—we are beyond thrilled that Pip is recovering physically and emotionally in Dava’s home. Whatever the verdict may be, we know that the Pip’s happiness is the greatest outcome of all.

In recent months, the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH) has seen an increase in cases of pets with matted coats—many of which have necessitated surgical procedures, and in severe cases, amputations. One such case involved Chia, a one-year-old female Shih Tzu who was surrendered to the ASPCA last November.

When ASPCA staff opened Chia’s carrier for the first time, they found that she was encased in a severely matted coat. They were unable to even locate Chia’s ears or neck in order to place a lead around her. In order to help Chia, a licensed veterinary technician at AAH began to shave off her coat. Her matting was so severe—and coated with feces, urine, and foreign debris—that the vet tech was able to remove the majority of the matting in one large, intact piece, which weighed more than one pound.

Beneath the matted coat was a gentle, loving 12-lb. dog. After receiving treatment for some skin issues and undergoing a spay procedure, Chia was adopted and is now a cherished family member.

We’re so glad we got to Chia in time to help. According to ASPCA Veterinarian Dr. Julie Horton, matted hair can lead to severe medical problems for pets:

Even very mild hair mats can cause skin irritation and progress to infected lesions. A wound left unattended can accumulate maggots.

Fleas and ticks can live deep in the hair mat—out of the owner’s sight—and infest the animal.

Mats around the hind end can cause an accumulation of feces and in severe cases impede defecation.

More severe hair mats can cause strangulating wounds, most often seen on an animal’s limb. The mat can grow around the leg in a circumferential fashion causing blood supply to be cut off. In severe but reversible cases, the mat cuts into and sometimes through the skin which can be surgically and medically treated over a long period of time typically weeks to months. In severe but irreversible cases, the mat can cut down to the bone and /or become so tight that blood supply is cut off on that limb requiring amputation.

Dr. Horton provides the following tips for preventing your pet’s hair from matting:

In general, mats are extremely uncomfortable for your pet and should be avoided. Owners should be aware of grooming needs based on hair type and breed of the animal. Pets with medium-to-long hair require frequent brushing, some even once daily. Speak with your groomer or veterinarian regarding appropriate brush types for your pet’s hair. Early mild mats can be brushed out. Mats which have progressed require clipping the hair.

If you notice a mat which cannot be easily brushed out, your pet should visit a groomer or veterinarian. They can safely clip the mats out and provide instant relief. If a pet is severely matted he may require sedation and full body clipping.

NEVER cut mats out with scissors. Your pet can unexpectedly move or jerk resulting in a severe laceration or puncture.

Two adult dogs and three puppies are under the care of the ASPCA following cruelty arrests by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in the Bronx. The officers were responding to a call reporting a domestic dispute, and when they arrived at the apartment, they noticed that the five pit bull mixes appeared malnourished and sick. The officers noted an absence of water dishes or food for the dogs within the apartment. Both residents were arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

The ASPCA is caring for the dogs at our Animal Hospital and at one of our partner veterinary facilities, where they’re receiving medical treatment for malnourishment. It is too soon to discuss eventual adoption options.

"This case clearly illustrates the impact that the NYPD-ASPCA partnership is having on the city's most vulnerable animals," said Howard Lawrence, Senior Director, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group. "While in the course of their normal duties, the Bronx officers were able to identify and stop animal suffering that might otherwise have never been reported."